February 22, 2002

UMBC Presents Trombonist Abbie Conant

The UMBC Department of Music's Free in508 series presents trombonist Abbie Conant.She will present a concert entitled The Wired Goddess and HerTrombone, featuring Music for the End of Time by William Osborne,The Elderberry Goddess by Elizabeth Hoffman, Hysteriaby Cindy Cox,Time Bomb by Chris Brown,Sauger by Anne LeBaron,Landmine by AnnaRubin, and Hum 2 by Maggi Payne.

Inrecent years, Abbie Conant has performed as a soloist in over 100 Europeanand American cities. The International Trombone Association Journalhas featured Abbie Conant in a cover article and described her as "inthe first rank of world class trombonists." She has recorded a highlyacclaimed CD of trombone and organ music and performs internationally as aconcerto soloist, recitalist, improviser and performance artist. In 1992the Baden-Würtemburg State Ministry for Education, in recognition ofher international reputation as a trombonist, named her Professor ofTrombone at the StaatlicheHochschule für Musik in Trossingen, Germany, the first womanprofessor of trombone in Germany. In 1996, the 4,200 members of the International Trombone Associationvoted her as their President elect. In August of 1998 she was the firstwoman to serve as adjudicator for the International Trombone Competitionin Geneva, Switzerland. She has composed a series of music theater worksconcerning the Holocaust which have been performed in Germany to largeaudiences with critical success. For her most recent project, entitledThe Wired Goddess and Her Trombone, she is working with composersto create works for computer and trombone based on the theme of thegoddess. To date twenty-eight works have been written or are in progress,of which she has already premiered thirteen. Abbie Conant received degreesfrom Temple University and the Juilliard School, and also studied atYale University. She received a Meisterdiploma from the Staatliche Hochschulefür Musik in Cologne, Germany. From 1979 to 1980 she was solotrombonist of the Royal Opera of Turin, Italy, and from 1980 to 1993 shewas solo trombonist of the Munich Philharmonic.

Directions--From Baltimore and points north, proceed south on I-95 to exit 47B. Take Route 166 toward Catonsville and then follow signs to the Fine Arts Building.--From I-695, take Exit 12C (Wilkens Avenue) and continue one-half mile to the entrance of UMBC at the roundabout intersection of Wilkens Avenue and Hilltop Road. Turn left and follow signs to the Fine Arts Building.--From Washington and points south, proceed north on I-95 to Exit 47B. Take Route 166 toward Catonsville and then follow signs to the Fine Arts Building.

Daytime metered visitor parking is available in Lot 10, near the Administration Building. Visitor parking regulations are enforced on all University calendar days. Hilltop Circle and all campus roadways require a parking permit unless otherwise marked.Online campus map: http://www.umbc.edu/aboutumbc/campusmap/